The largest show caves in England

Step into a world that began millions of years ago with a single drop of rain. Over time, rainwater filtered through the porous sedimentary rock of the Mendip Hills, slowly carving out the vast underground chambers of Wookey Hole Caves. Today, you can explore eight stunning chambers, with many more still waiting to be fully discovered.

Did You Know?

🪨 Wookey Hole Caves are made up of limestone, sandstone, and dolomitic conglomerate (also known as puddingstone), a natural concrete-like rock.

50,000 years ago

For over 50,000 years, humans and animals have sought shelter in Wookey Hole Caves. With dry spaces, natural defences, and a constant temperature year-round, these caves provided a safe and surprisingly comfortable home.

🔎 Archaeological discoveries at Wookey Hole include flint tools used by Neanderthals and some of the eraliest examples of human use of fire, offering us a valuable glimpse into prehistoric life.

35,000 years ago

Wookey Hole Caves have been home to both humans and cave hyenas (now extinct) between 35,000 and 25,000 BCE, according to expert archaeologists. These caves were a prime location for survival, sheltering different species throughout the ages.

🦴 Fossil discoveries in the Valley include the remains of rhinoceros, bears, mammoths, and lions, revealing a time when both tropical and Ice Age animals roamed this land. Evidence suggests that packs of ancient cave hyenas worked together to drive prey over the cliff edge before feeding on their catch.

2,600 years ago

For over 600 years, Celtic farmers lived in and around the entrance to Wookey Hole Caves, making use of the natural light near the cave mouth. To venture deeper underground, they burned animal fat in simple lamps, exploring chambers that are now inaccessible due to the river.

Ancient Cave Burials

The Celts used one of the deepest chambers as a burial ground, a practice common among early humans worldwide. This chamber is not accessible to the public.

Several examples of cave burials have been discovered across Somerset and provide a fascinating insight for archeaologists and historians on ancient traditions and beliefs.

2,000 years ago

The Romans at Wookey Hole – A Sacred Spring & Ancient Industry

When the Romans arrived in Somerset 2,000 years ago, they quickly recognised the value of the Mendip Hills, building roads and mining lead with the cooperation of the local Celts to protect their trade routes.

🏛️ A Place of Worship – While the Romans built the famous Bath Spa, they also worshipped the natural spring at Wookey Hole, located in the Valley outside the caves. This sacred water source has drawn Pagans and visitors alike for centuries—a tradition that continues to this day.

400 years ago

By the 1700s, Wookey Hole Caves had transformed from a place of shelter to a site of intrigue and exploration. Visitors from far and wide came to marvel at the underground river and the stunning natural rock formations.

🌍 Did an Earthquake Change the Caves?
In 1755, a massive earthquake in Lisbon sent shockwaves across Europe, which may have damaged Wookey Hole Caves, knocking down giant stalactites that had been forming for millions of years.

DID YOU KNOW?

🪨 Stalactites and stalagmites take thousands of years to form as water drips from the cave ceiling, leaving behind mineral deposits. Over time, they can grow together to form spectacular stone columns stretching from floor to ceiling.

Step into history and explore the hidden wonders of Wookey Hole Caves.

100 years ago

Archaeology at Wookey Hole

For over a century, archaeologists and anthropologists have uncovered fascinating prehistoric discoveries at Wookey Hole Caves.

🔎 A Remarkable Discovery (1912) – Archaeologist Herbert Balch unearthed an almost complete skeleton of an Iron Age woman, alongside goat remains, a dagger, and other ancient artefacts. These finds joined an existing collection of prehistoric flint tools and animal bones, revealing the cave’s rich history of human and animal habitation.

🏺 See the Discoveries Up Close – Many of these remarkable artefacts are displayed in the Museum in the Mill, which you can visit during your trip to Wookey Hole.

You can watch this video of Cave Guide Neil, talking you through some of the history and archives of Wookey Hole.

20th Century

Open to the Public Since 1927

In 1927, Wookey Hole Caves first opened to the public, offering early visitors a very different experience from today. Back then, only three chambers were accessible, and visitors had to exit the same way they entered.

🔎 Expanding the Adventure – In the 1930s, pioneering cave divers explored new chambers, revealing even more of Wookey Hole’s hidden wonders. This led to a major transformation in 1974, when tunnels and bridges were built, allowing visitors to explore deeper into the caves.

Now, you can journey through eight breathtaking chambers, discovering the mystery, history, and beauty of one of Somerset’s most famous natural wonders.

3D Cinema Film: Tunnel

Deep beneath the Mendip Hills lies one of the most ambitious chapters in Wookey Hole’s modern history.

Tunnel, the acclaimed film by cave explorer and filmmaker Gavin Newman, follows the extraordinary project to open the hidden Chamber 20 to the public for the very first time. Through explosive engineering, determination, and a healthy amount of cave-diver madness, the film captures the remarkable effort to blast a route through solid rock and reveal a spectacular underground world that had previously only been accessible to divers.

Featuring dramatic footage from inside the caves, the documentary tells the story of the team who spent months creating a 70-metre access tunnel, using tonnes of explosives and removing over a thousand tonnes of rock to unlock one of Wookey Hole’s greatest secrets. The result is a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at exploration, engineering, and the relentless pursuit of the unknown.

If you've ever walked through Chamber 20 and wondered how visitors were able to reach such an incredible hidden cavern, Tunnel reveals the answer. It's a story of adventure, risk, teamwork, and discovery beneath one of Britain's most famous cave systems.

Available outside of Somerset School Holidays.

Today

A Journey Through Time and Legend

Visiting Wookey Hole Caves today is easier than ever—no wading through the river required! A safe and accessible route takes you through stunning chambers, with tunnels and walkways connecting your journey through this awe-inspiring underground world.

🔥 Looking for adventure? Go beyond the public tour with Wild Wookey, an extreme caving experience for thrill-seekers!

Guided Tours & Self-Guided Exploration

🕵️ Outside of school holidays – Enjoy a fully guided tour led by our expert storytellers.
🎒 During school holidays – A guide will introduce you to the first few chambers, sharing legends and history, before you continue your underground adventure at your own pace.

Discover the magic, mystery, and history of Wookey Hole Caves – Book your visit today!